Azerbaijan to continue to support efforts to restore peace, stability in Afghanistan
By Rashid Shirinov
Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov took part in the NATO summit in Brussels organized at the level of defense ministers of states contributing to the NATO Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, the Defense Ministry informed on June 8.
Hasanov fully informed the participants of the meeting about the support Azerbaijan provides to Afghanistan. The minister added that Azerbaijan will continue to support the efforts of the international community aimed at restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The political situation and security in Afghanistan, the future of the mission, the continuation of financial support required for the maintenance of security forces after 2020, and other issues were discussed at the meeting.
In order to ensure international peace and support of partners, the number of Azerbaijani peacekeepers has been increased from 94 to 120 servicemen since 2018, including six Azerbaijani officers, who are represented at various headquarters of the Resolute Support mission, as well as two military doctors.
Azerbaijan has several times made substantial donations to the Afghan National Army (ANA) Trust Fund. Moreover, Azerbaijan supports Afghanistan on its path of reforms towards integrating into regional and global economy. Furthermore, Azerbaijan allowed the NATO planes carrying non-combat loads for a mission in Afghanistan to fly through Azerbaijan’s airspace and to use the country’s airports. About 40 percent of all cargo destined for the NATO mission in Afghanistan pass through Baku.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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